Strategies
The cold winter season is upon us around the NFL while the fantasy action is just heating up. Week 16 gets started on Saturday with a two game slate featuring the Philadelphia Eagles heading to Washington to take on the Redskins at 4:30pm. The late game features the San Diego Chargers traveling to San Francisco to take on the 49ers in a game the Chargers must win to remain alive in the playoff picture.
That being said we elected to skip building any fantasy rosters today with a very limited amount of options to consider. This allowed us to turn our attention to the other 13 games taking place on Sunday as well as a Monday Night showdown featuring the Denver Broncos and Cincinnati Bengals. The slate of games also provides us with some great fantasy options at all the top positions including Matt Ryan against a very bad New Orleans Saints defense or Rob Gronkowski against a New York Jets defense that has allowed 12 touchdown receptions to tight ends.
The difficult decisions lie with the sleepers around the NFL to help off-set some of the bigger costs the top stars will bring. Here are some of the fantasy sleepers we like this week entering tomorrow lineup of NFL games to help you cash in.
Joseph Randle, Dallas Cowboys: At this point Randle might not be a sleeper any more but his stock could fall for some fantasy owners if Demarco Murray announces he will start. In the end we still like Randle in this contest against a Indianapolis Colts defense that has allowed a combined 14 touchdowns to opposing running backs this season.
Marlon Brown, Baltimore Ravens: The Ravens head to Houston with one thing on their mind and that is to pick up a win to keep them in contention for another post season appearance. This is also the time quarterback Joe Flacco starts to pick up his play making Brown a great option. One stat that stands out is the fact Brown has recorded 17 catches without recording a drop something the other Ravens receivers have had a trouble doing.
Eric Ebron, Detroit Lions: The former North Carolina Tar Heel isn’t quite producing as many fantasy owners would like but this could be a great fantasy opportunity this weekend. The Lions head to Chicago to take a Bears team that has allowed a league high 13 touchdown receptions to opposing tight ends. Ebron is a low cost high risk type of fantasy option that could reward you with a cash payout on FanDuel.
CJ Spiller, Buffalo Bills: Now Spiller might not be a sleeper in most eyes but how many fantasy owners will take a gamble on him if he suits up for the Bills this weekend against the Oakland Raiders. While Fred Jackson will get the bulk of the carries, Spiller could benefit playing against a Raiders team tha has allowed 62 receptions for 632 yards and seven touchdowns to running backs out of the backfield.
Demaris Johnson, Houston Texans: The reports are indicating that Deandre Hopkins will miss the Texans contest against the Baltimore Ravens. The good news for the team Andre Johnson will return giving a depleted Ravens secondary and defenses coaches something to think about on Sunday. Entering the contest the Ravens have allowed a league high in receptions, receiving yards as well as allowing 15 touchdown receptions.
Other top fantasy sleepers include Devonta Freeman, Joe Flacco and Markus Wheaton.